THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN WW1: VIDA JANE GOLDSTEIN

Vida Jane Goldstein

The Role of Women During World War 1

MAIN causes of WW1

May factors contributed to the beginning of World War 1 (WW1). There are 4 long-term reasons that helped fuel the beginning of WW1 Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. These 4 long –term reasons can be abbreviated into the acronym MAIN. The First reason of MAIN is Militarism

Militarism is when a county builds up their armies and military forces to become stronger and have the ability to start a war. Militarism caused an army’s race between many European countries such as France and Germany with Armies and military forces that reach 4 million – 4.5 million soldiers each. Countries would build up their armies because of large dis-trust between each other and the impeding anxiety that they could launch an attack on an underdeveloped military country. There was also a Nave race between Britain and Germany as Germans felt Britain’s large navy was a threat, as the British had to maintain the large colonial area it had at the time hence the large navy.

The second long- term cause of MAIN was Alliances. There were two different alliances within the European countries these were the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. The triple Alliance consisted of the 3 main countries of Germany, Astro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy (Who later switched to the Triple Entente) Having allies of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Bulgaria.

While these countries made up the Triple Alliance the United Kingdom (The British), France and the Russian Empire made up the Triple Entente. They were allied by Serbia, Greece, Belgium, Portugal and Romania and Australia. These Alliances between the European countries had been made years and even decades before the war.

World War 1 was caused by the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand who was an Austro – Hungarian this then started a conflict between Austro – Hungary and Serbia as Austro – Hungary had placed threats against Serbia. This resulted in each counties allies coming in defence for each other creating WW1 otherwise called the Great war or The War to stop all wars.

The third long term cause of World War 1 in MAIN is Imperialism. Imperialism is where a stronger or larger country concurs or has control over a weaker nation / country. An example of the European countries and there need for Imperialism is the scramble for Africa where countries tried to gain more control over territory in Africa which created distrust and tension between the countries.

Competition between the countries grew larger as 1914 approached. An example of Imperialism at the time is Britain and France having had control over the largest regions of Africa during the scramble. Germany became angry because of their lack of colonies and control compared to the 2 European countries. There was rising tension and anger between Germany and France.

The final long-term cause of MAIN in Nationalism is where you believe that you country and other countries with similar beliefs and values think you are better or more dominate than other countries, it is having pride on where you come from and showing it. The Austro – Hungary Empire had a large impact in WW1 of Nationalism that helped start WW1 as they wanted more control

These 4 long-term factors (MAIN) help

influence the beginning of WW1 but there was a short-term factor that seemed to explode and cause the beginning of WW1 the assassination of archduke Franz Ferdinand who was assassinated by a 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip on the 28th of June 1914. Germany then declared war on Serbia leading to allied countries to come and defend each other resulting in WW1.

ANZAC soldiers (Australia and New Zealand Army

Corps) Fought in 2 main areas the Western Front and The Gallipoli Peninsula, ANZAC cove. ANZACs arrived at the beaches of Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915 at around 4:15 am were heavy gun fire rained down on them killing thousands within the first hour of landing on their beaches. The gun fire was from above on the bays where the Turks were waiting for our arrival. ANZACs retreated on the night of November 11th, 1915, were they returned to the training grounds in Egypt.

Propaganda posters were made during the beginning of WW1 to inflict feeling s of guilt and cowardliness upon Australian men to influence them to go to war and help protect and defend not just their own country but their mother country the United Kingdom. Out of the Australian population at the time 13.4% of the adult male population enlisted in the war, this is about 416,800 men. Out of the 416,800 men, 331,000 served overseas, 61,720 dies and 155,000 were wounded. During the 8 – 9 months spent serving in Gallipoli 50,000 men fought 8,709 died and around 18,000 were wounded.

Roles of Woman

There was 4 main roles of Woman during WW1 active service, employment, voluntary work and creating change. The first role was Active Service.

Woman in Active service were expected to be either single or widowed. Although some married woman made it through. Woman in the AANS was not allowed to work for the AIF if married during her service. Nurses mainly served in Britain, India, France, Belgium, Mediterranean and the Middle East. The Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) had 3000 women serving. Only around 20 or more Australian women were surgeons, pathologists, anaesthetists and medical officers in service. Nurses during this time worked under the threat of gunfire, long hours working in makeshift hospitals and seeing wounded, disfigured and deceased soldiers during this time, and many struggled with the change back into a normal civilian life as they had no support from the traumatic events of the war. around 25 women died and many wounded during service.

Some of the women that stayed at home during WW1 took on the role of volunteering and running organization s to help the troops overseas. Some of these organizations consisted of: Australian Women’s National league, Australian Red cross, Country Women’s Association, Voluntary Aid Detachment, Australians Women’s service Corps, Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The volunteer's goal was to bring comfort to the troops in there time at war with items such as: extra clothing such as winter hats, gloves, and scarfs to help with the cold, medicine for those who needed it, tobacco. They also sent over Christmas packages and ANZAC biscuits as other comforts for the soldiers.

Other women took on the roles in the workplace left unfilled by the men in war. Even though women were taking over the roles in the workplace they were still paid less than half of that an average working man. Woman in the work force were able to take up the roles and jobs of clerical workers, bank tellers and typists but were expected to return to housework to make room for the soldiers that returned from war.

After WW1 roles of woman in the workplace decreased compared to 1911. 368,457 before the war (1911), or about 17% of the female population.

436,567 after the war (1921), or about 16% of the female population

After the war the amount of woman in the workplace may have decreased and the country didn't see much change to laws against this, the opportunity to work in the workplace open up opportunities that helped shape womans lives as the nation moved into the 1920s and helped lead the way to working Australian women

While other women were volunteering and working in the workplace some opted to devote their time to making a change. The roles they took on the roles of patriotism, propaganda and politics. The woman that devoted their time to patriotism would often walk around the streets handing a white feather to the men they saw were fit to enlist I the war but had decided not to. They did this to show that they thought the man was a coward.

Those who were apart of propaganda and politics fought for the Womans right to vote and also campaigned against conscription. An organization example of woman was the Women's Peace Army formed in the year 1915. A handful of women made themself know during this time. One of these women was Vida Jane Goldstien.

Vida Jane Goldstein

During the time of the 1890s Vida joined organizations such as The National AntiSweating League, the Criminology Society and various social welfare activities

With her close friend Annette BearCrawford, helped to organize the Queen Victoria Hospital Appeal for the Queen's jubilee in 1897

Vida Jane Goldstein was born on the 13 April 1869 in Victoria Vida started her propaganda journey in 1890 when she helped her mother gather signatures for the Women Suffrage Petition.

She attended Victorian parliamentary sessions where she learned procedure while campaigning for a wide variety of reformist legislation.

During the year of 1899 she was undisputed leader of the radical women ' s movement in Victoria after the death of Mrs Bear-Crawford, and in the same year debuted her first public speaking appearance to campaign for woman to vote.

In 1902 Vida Travelled to The United States to present at the International Woman Suffrage Conference where she was elected secretary and provided proof in favour of the Woman Suffrage to a United States Congress committee. Where She then also attended the International Council of Woman Conference

Vida then returned back to Australia in the year 1902 where she was success full in campaigning as Australian Woman now had been granted the right for a federal vote. As she returned to Australia from America, she was one of four women part of the British empire to be nominated and stand or election to a national parliament.

Vida in the year of 1903 bid as an independent candidate for the Senate in Australian Parliament. the Women's Federal Political Association proposed and assisted Vida. Thye had been formed to help organize the womans vote during the first federal election.

By 1903 Vida was President this became a vehicle of her platform and opinions. contrary to the mockery of her nomination Vida managed to pole 51,497 in the December election. After the election defeat the Women's, Federal Political Association realized they needed more organization. Vida began to educate woman through the Woman's Sphere which she owned and edited between the years of September 1900 and March 1905. She also educated through the renamed Women's Political Association (W.P.A.) and lectures tours around Victoria. She also continued to campaign for Woman suffrage untiringly.

Vida made four more attempts in 1910, 1913, 1914 and 1917 to gain election into Federal Parliament. During 1910 and 1917 she went for Senate and during 1913 and 1914 run for the House of Representative. Each time she ran as an Independant Woman Candidate. The first 3 years she polled she polled well. Her last attempt at Senate was success full so much so she had lost her deposit some reason because of her failures and partly because of her opinions and determined opinion on pacifism during WW1. The press was either antagonistic to her, misrepresented or ignored her.

After Vidas extraordinary life she died of cancer at her home in South Yarra on 15 August 1949 and was cremated

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Written by Abigail Fisher